This manual describes operation of the U6 control panel.
For safety and general information on operation, see the wire feed unit and power source
operating instructions.
Instruction manuals in other languages can be downloaded from the Internet:
manuals.esab.com
1.1Do this first
This menu appears on the display the first time that you start the power unit.
4 - STROKCRAT FILLHOT STARTNEXT
When delivered, the control panel and display are set to English. There are 14 languages
stored in the control panel: change to the one that you want as follows.
Press NEXT (i.e. the soft button on the right beneath the display) until the correct language is
shown in the display.
1.2Control panel's working method
The control panel can be said to comprise two units: the primary memory and the welding
data memory.
1. Store3. Welding data memory
2. Recall4. Primary memory
In the primary memory, a complete set of welding data settings are created which can be
stored in the welding data memory.
When welding, it is always the content of the primary memory which controls the process. It
is therefore also possible to recall welding data settings from the welding data memory to the
primary memory.
Note that the primary memory always contains the most recently set welding data settings.
These can be recalled from the welding data memory or individually altered settings. In other
words, the primary memory is never empty or “reset”.
1.3Control panel
1.Display
2.Knob for setting the voltage
3.Knob for setting the wire feed speed
and current
4.Soft keys, see further explanation
below
5.MENU button
Note! The functionality of all U6 control
panels are the same regardless of product
variant, i.e. even if the appearance is not
exactly like in the graphic to the left.
The functions of these keys (i.e. what each one does) change, depending on the sub-menu
shown in the display. The particular function for each button is shown by the text in the
bottom line of the display, corresponding to the buttons. (A white dot beside the text
indicates that the key is active.)
When the text in this manual advise you to press a key of this type, the intention is
that you should press the function key beneath the relevant display text.
MENU pushbutton
This key brings you to the SELECT MENU (see item <>) if you are in the main menu. If you
are in some other menu, it moves you back up one menu.
1.4Symbols in the display
Back to the MAIN MENU
Move the cursor down to a new setting parameter.
Change the function in the selected line.
Increase the value.
Decrease the value.
1.5Update of software
If this warning is shown in the display, it means that the power source doesn’t support this
function.
Contact an authorised ESAB service engineer to get an updated software.
The control panel uses this menus: MAIN MENU, MEASURMENT MENU, SELECT MENU,
PROCESS MENU, SETTINGS MENU, CONFIGURATION MENU and MEMORY MENU. A
startup display is also shown when starting, with information on the type of panel and the
software version in use.
2.1The main menu and the measurements menu
4 - STROKGRAT FILLHOT STARTNEXT
The MAIN MENU always appears immediately after starting, showing the values that are set.
If you are in the MAIN MENU when you start to weld, the menu changes automatically to
show the measured values (the measurements menu). The measured values remain on the
display even after welding stops.
Other menus can be accessed without losing the measured values.
It is only when a knob is turned or the welding method changed that the setting values are
displayed instead of the measured values.
2.2Select menu
MIG / MAG
Fe ER70S
CO2
19,2 VOLT
SELECT MENU
PROCESSSETTINGCONFIGMEMORY
Use the SELECT MENU to select the next level of menu to which you want to go: PROCESS
MENU, SETTINGS MENU, CONFIGURE MENU or MEMORY MENU.
Process menu
0,8 MM
5.0 M/MIN
- - PROCESS MENU 1 /2 - -
PROCESS
SYNERGIC
WIRE
GAS
↓MAIN MENUNEXT
Use the PROCESS MENU to change the welding process, material type etc.
The arc in MIG/MAG welding melts a filler wire (the electrode) that is continuously fed into
the weld, with the molten zone being protected by a shielding gas.
Pulsing the current affects the transfer of molten droplets from the wire, to produce a stable,
spatter-free arc even at low welding data.
3.1Settings
MIG/MAG welding without pulsing
SettingsSetting rangeIn steps ofDefault setting
2/4-stroke
1)
Crater fillingON / OFF-OFF
Crater fill time0 - 5 s0.1 s1.0 s
Hot startON / OFF-OFF
Hot start time0.0 - 10.0 s0.1 s1.5 s
Creep startON / OFF-ON
Gas purging
1)
2-stroke or 4-stroke-2-stroke
---
Cold wire feed---
QSetON / OFF-OFF
SynergyON / OFF-
Display of amperage
ON / OFF-OFF
ON
estimate
Inductance0 - 1001-
Gas pre-flow0.1 - 25 s0.1 s0.1 s
Burnback time
3)
0 - 0.35 s0.01 s0.08 s
SCTSYN / OFF / ON-SYN
Start parameter R8.0 - 60.00.25-
Gas post-flow0 - 20 s1 s1 s
Spot weldingOFF / ON-OFF
Spot welding time0.1 - 25 s0.1 s0.1 s
Voltage8 - 600.25 (displayed with
synergy deviation ±0
one decimal)
Wire feed speed0.8–25.0 m/min
0.1 m/min (1in./min)5 m/min (31in./min)
(31–980in./min)
Trigger dataSYN / OFF / ON-OFF
2)
AVC feederOFF / ON-OFF
1)
These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.
2)
The synergy line on delivery: solid wire (ER70S), shielding gas CO2with wire 0.8 mm.
3)
The burnback time setting is only available when SCT is OFF. This will be the case if SCT
setting = OFF, or SCT setting = SYN and the chosen synergic line has SCT set to OFF.
2-stroke operation of the welding torch switch button
A = Gas pre-flow B = Hot startC = WeldingD = Crater fillE = Gas post-flow
In the 2-stroke control mode, pressing the welding torch trigger switch starts gas pre-flow (if
used) (1) and strikes the arc. Releasing the trigger switch (2) starts crater filling (if in
operation), extinguishes the arc and starts gas post-flow (if in operation).
TIP: If the welding torch trigger switch is pressed again during the crater fill time, welding can
be continued for as long as required (shown by the dotted line), using the crater fill data.
Crater filling can also be interrupted by quickly pressing and releasing the trigger switch while
crater filling is in progress.
- Activation of 2-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
4 - Stroke
Function when using 4-stroke control of the welding torch
A = Gas pre-flow B = Hot startC = WeldingD = Crater fillE = Gas post-flow
In the 4-stroke control mode, pressing the welding torch trigger switch starts gas pre-flow
(1). Releasing the trigger switch (2) starts the welding process. At the end of welding, the
welder presses the trigger switch again (3), which starts crater filling (if in operation) and
reduces the welding data to a lower value. Releasing the trigger switch again (4)
extinguishes the arc and starts gas post-flow (if used).
TIP: Crater filling stops when the trigger switch is released. Keeping the button pressed
continues welding at the lower data of the crater filling function (dotted line).
- Activation of 4-stroke performed in the MAIN MENU.
Crater filling
Crater filling helps to avoid pores, thermal cracking and crater formation in the workpiece at
the end of the weld.
- Setting of crater filling time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Hot start
The hot start function increases the welding current for an adjustable time at the start of
welding, which reduces the risk of poor fusion at the start of the weld.
- Setting of hot start time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Creep start
Creep start function feeds out the wire at 1.5 meters/minute until it makes electrical contact
with the workpiece.
- Activation of creep start performed in the MAIN MENU.
Gas purging
The gas purging function is used when measuring the gas flow rate, or to purge the gas
hoses of any air or moisture before starting to weld. It continues as long as the button is held
pressed, and prevents voltage from being applied and wire feed from starting.
- Activation of gas purging performed in the MAIN MENU.
Cold wire feed (Wire inching)
Cold wire feed is used in order to feed out wire without energising the arc. The wire is fed out
for as long as the button is held pressed.
- Activation of cold wire feed performed in the MAIN MENU.
QSet™
QSet™ function is used to facilitate setting welding parameters.
NOTE!
QSet™ function and Synergy function are mutually exclusive. If one is selected, the
other will be deselected. Both can be OFF.
•Turning the knob clockwise increases (+) the
arc length.
•Turning the knob anti-clockwise reduces (-)
the arc length.
SHORT ARC
When first starting welding with a wire type / gas type QSet™ automatically sets all the
necessary welding parameters. After that QSet™ stores all the data to produce a good weld.
The voltage then automatically conforms to changes in the wire feed speed.
SPRAY ARC
When approaching the spray arc area the value for QSet™ must be increased. Disengage
the QSet™ function when welding with pure spray arc. All settings are inherited from QSet™,
with the exception of the voltage which must be set.
Recommendation: Make the first weld (6 seconds) with QSet™ on a test piece to obtain all
the correct data.
- Activation of QSet performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Synergy
Every combination of wire type, wire diameter and gas mixture requires a unique relationship
between wire feed speed and voltage (arc length) in order to ensure a stable arc. The
voltage (arc length) is automatically controlled in accordance with the preprogrammed
synergy line that has been selected by the welder, which makes it much easier to quickly find
the optimum welding parameters. The relationship between the wire feed speed and the
other parameters is referred to as the synergy characteristic or synergy line.
NOTE!
QSet™ function and Synergy function are mutually exclusive. If one is selected, the
other will be deselected. Both can be OFF.
Synergy ON: the MAIN MENU shows the set wire feed, as well as positive and negative
deviation from the synergy line's voltage.
Positive deviation is displayed with a bar above SYN, negative is displayed below.
Synergy OFF: the MAIN MENU shows the set value for voltage and wire feed.
- Activation of synergy performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Synergy line package
The synergy line package supplied with the machine is called “Standard synergic lines”.
It is also possible to order other packages of synergy lines, but these must be installed by an
authorised ESAB service engineer.
Display of amperage estimate
Given the chosen synergic line an amperage estimate is calculated using the current wire
feed speed. The setting is adjusted in the MAIN MENU, using soft key AMP.
The amperage estimate is displayed as a reference when the welder does not know what
wire feed speed to set. Depending on joint type and the stick out (contact tip to work piece
distance) that is used, there will be some deviation between amperage estimate and the
actual measured amperage. Large deviation might mean that stick out should be adjusted for
optimal weld results.
The amperage estimate is presented in the MAIN MENU when the wire feed speed or the
voltage is adjusted. The row showing wire feed speed in the display is replaced with
amperage estimate. During and after welding the welding current measure values are
displayed on the same row.
Higher inductance produces a more flowing weld and less spatter. Lower inductance
produces a harsher sound and a stable, concentrated arc.
- Setting of inductance performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Gas pre-flow
The gas pre-flow time is the time during which the shielding gas flows before the arc is
struck.
- Setting of gas pre-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Burnback time
The burnback time is a delay between when the wire feed unit starts to brake the wire until
the power unit shuts off the welding current. Too short a burnback time leaves a long piece of
filler wire projecting after welding has stopped, with resulting risk of the wire freezing into the
solidifying weld pool. On the other hand, too long a burnback time reduces the stickout to
such an extent that there is a risk of the arc striking from the welding torch contact tip when
welding is next started.
- Setting of burnback time performed in the SETTINGS MENU. The burnback time setting is
only available when SCT is OFF. This will be the case if SCT setting = 1, or SCT setting = 0
and the chosen synergic line has SCT set to OFF.
SCT
SCT is a function that gives small repeated short circuits at the end of the welding until the
wire feeding has totally stopped and the contact with the workpiece has been broken.
The following settings exist: SYN = The value (ON/OFF) is determined by the synergy line
(default option).
OFF = SCT is OFF
ON = SCT is ON
Do not use SCT with cored wire.
Start parameter R
Start parameter R enables finetuning of the electric arc during the start moment when
welding. The parameter can be set from 8.0 to 60.0, in steps of 0.25. Synergy must be OFF
for this parameter to be available (which means that the chosen method is Short Arc).
Gas post-flow
The gas post-flow function controls the time during which shielding gas continues to flow
after the arc has been extinguished.
- Setting of gas post-flow time performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Changing trigger data
Using this function, it is possible to switch to various pre-set welding data alternatives by
double-clicking on the welding blowpipe's trigger.
Switching takes place between the memory positions 1, 2 and 3, see the “MEMORY
MANAGEMENT”. If there is no data in memory position 2, switching takes place instead
between positions 1 and 3.
ON - Switching between memory positions can take place before, after or during welding.
ARC OFF - Switching between memory positions can only take place before or after
welding.
OFF - Switching between memory positions can not be done using welding blowpipe's
trigger.
- Activation of trigger data switching performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
AVC feeder
When this function is activated it is possible to use an Arc Voltage Controlled or Off-The-Arc
feeder, where the arc voltage from the power source is used to power the feed unit.
- Activation of AVC feeder performed in the PROCESS MENU.
Spot welding
Select Spot welding when you want to spot-weld thin metal sheets.
- Activation and setting of Spot welding is performed in the SETTINGS MENU.
Voltage
A higher voltage gives a longer arc, with a hotter and wider weld pool.
Irrespective of which menu is displayed, the setting value for the voltage can always be
changed. The value is displayed in the MAIN MENU or SELECT MENU.
Wire feed speed
The wire feed speed is the speed at which the filler wire is supplied, measured in m/min
(in./min).
Irrespective of which menu is displayed, the setting value for the wire feed speed can always
be changed. The value is displayed in the MAIN MENU or SELECT MENU.
Pinch-off / final pulse
Pinch-off pulse is a pulse that is applied to ensure that a ball is not formed on the wire when
welding stops. Applies to MIG/MAG welding with short/spray arc and short pulsing. When
pulsing, completion is synchronised with a pulse, finishing pulse, which can be set between
0% and 100%.
TIG welding uses a non-melting tungsten electrode from which the arc is struck that melts
the workpiece. The molten weld pool and the tungsten electrode are protected by a shielding
gas.
Pulsing is used in order to give better control of the weld pool and solidification. The pulse
frequency is sufficiently low to allow some of the weld pool to start to solidify between each
pulse. Pulsing has four controllable parameters: pulse duration, background current time,
pulse current and background current.
4.2Settings
TIG welding without pulsing
SettingsSetting rangeIn steps ofDefault setting
2/4-stroke
1)
HF / LiftarcHF / Liftarc-HF
Gas purging
1)
2-stroke / 4-stroke-2-stroke
---
Gas pre-flow0.0 - 5.0 s0.1 s0.5 s
Slope up time0.0 - 5.0 s0.1 s0.0 s
Slope down time0.0 - 10.0 s0.1 s2.0 s
Gas post-flow0.0 - 25.0 s0.1 s5.0 s
Current4 - 500 A1 A100 A
Remote min0 - 99%1%0%
Trigger dataOFF / ON / ARC OFF -OFF
Spot weldingON / OFFOFF
Spot Welding time0.0 - 25.00.1 s
1)
These functions cannot be changed while welding is in progress.